The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60102

Aspen Baker¹, Taylor A. Haas, MSc², and Yvette P. Cuca, MPH, MIA². (1) Exhale, 484 Lake Park Avenue, #63, Oakland, CA 94610, 510-446-7900, aspen@4exhale.org, (2) Consultant, 717 Kansas Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

Elective abortion is a normal experience in the reproductive lives of women, falling within a continuum of decisions and behaviors relating to partnership, health, domestic violence, family planning, economic security, and availability of social support. Abortion patients experience myriad emotions after an abortion (eg. relief, guilt, happiness, grief). Because of the controversy surrounding abortion in the U.S., and because abortion providers generally counsel women only before or during the abortion service visit, there are few resources for those seeking opportunities to talk about and explore their feelings after an abortion and to find constructive ways of coping with them. For almost two years, Exhale has provided telephone counseling to women who find themselves in this situation, as well as to women's partners, allies and friends of all genders. The talkline is based on a model of community partnerships and comprehensive counseling. This paper explores how Exhale has deployed after-abortion counseling in the San Francisco Bay Area and provides data from two years of service. The authors will discuss examples of psychological counseling in hospital and clinic settings internationally, how the talkline fits into the Postabortion Care Consortium’s service model, and obstacles and lessons learned, particularly in relation to: situating counseling services that extend beyond contraception and family planning for women after an abortion; working in partnership with clinics, hospitals, individual providers and local agencies to augment their services; and a new model of peer counseling containing three key components specific to counseling after an abortion.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• Define the components of a new model of peer counseling specific to abortion aftercare focused on the emotional needs of women.
• Delineate "best practices" and/or "lessons learned" for situating counseling services, creating intra-agency partnerships to provide access.
• Identify challenges and obstacles to providing after-abortion counseling services.

Keywords: Abortion, Counseling

Related Web page: www.4exhale.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Exhale 484 Lake Park Avenue, #63 Oakland, CA 94610 510-446-7900
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Executive Director